Braswell Railroad War

The Braswell Railroad War was a conflict that occurred between the United States and the Comanche in the Southwestern state of New Mexico during the November of 1865. The war was fought over the construction of the Braswell Railroad through traditional Comanche land, and the US Army was dispatched to protect settlers who fell under attack from Comanche hunters near Five-Mile City. The war ended in a US victory, with the Comanche being forced to relocate and the Americans being able to continue the expansion of their railroad.

Background
The first major city founded in northeastern New Mexico was Five-Mile City, named for "Five-Mile Station" along a major stagecoach trade route. The city grew as more and more settlers arrived in New Mexico, and new trade routes were constructed along an old Native American travois trail; the Braswell Railroad began construction in late 1865. Another trading post was set up further down the railroad from Five-Mile Station, and the trains began to run north towards Colorado. However, several Comanche settlements were located between Colorado Springs and Five-Mile City; while the Americans were able to build trade posts with two of the settlements, they were unable to foster good relations with Chief Fights With Knives' village further north. The village was bisected by the railroad, harming relations between the settlers and the natives.

Settler clashes
Violence broke out for the first time on 14 November 1865, when a group of American settlers working at a mill spotted some Comanche villagers hunting buffalo near them. The settlers were angered at what they perceived as a violation of their territory by the Comanche, and they opened fire on the villagers with their guns. The villagers were scattered, fleeing north. There, they were massacred by Comanche warriors allied with the US Army, and the Americans decided to go to war with the Comanche tribe.

War
Shortly after the buffalo incident, Chief Fights With Knives rode through the plains to the north of Five-Mile City, only to find a large force of US Army troops and allied Comanche warriors waiting for him. They gunned him down, a major act of war. Days later, the American and allied native forces were attacked twice by small Comanche war parties, and they quickly eliminated them, although two US-allied Comanche warriors were killed in battle. The Americans retaliated by dispatching their army to assault the Comanche village, with the Americans destroying the Comanche village's town center with grenades. The Comanche were massacred by the Americans, and they were forced to disperse. The Americans won a great victory, and they were able to build more railroad stations and expand the Braswell Railroad further west and north.